Machine guns should never retire for a few hundred yards, except where absolutely necessary for covering the retirement of those in front. Once in position, they should only be moved to alternative positions when discovered, and these will usually be more or less on the same general alignment. When they retire they should move to such a distance in rear as to give them time to select, or if necessary improvise, good cover in the new positions and to replenish ammunition, etc. “The positions should be sufficiently far apart to induce the enemy, after seizing one, to re-form column of route before advancing against the next.”[35] General Alderson, speaking at the Aldershot Military Society in 1904 and referring to the South African War, said: “I had two Maxims with tripod mountings on pack-saddles, which belonged to the 1st Battalion Mounted Infantry. These guns had well-trained mounted detachments, and a pushing officer, with a good eye for ground, in command. _They were most useful, and more than once saved the flank of their unit from being turned by galloping up and coming into action on the flank of the out-flanking Boers_.... I am of opinion that if the most is to be got out of the guns, the detachments, _even with infantry_, should be mounted.... With the detachment mounted ... there is no question about the guns not keeping up, and they can be sent quickly to any desired position. They can hold on to any such position as long as required to _cover the advance or retirement of their infantry_, and then easily catch them up or get into another position. In fact, if the detachment is mounted the value of the guns is more than doubled.” Machine guns with the rear guard will certainly be exposed to artillery fire, and they will seldom have the time or opportunity for making sufficient cover to protect themselves. It will be necessary therefore either to withdraw the gun on coming under artillery fire or to find shelter from it. If good natural cover has been obtained, it will only be necessary to lower the gun flat on the ground behind it, and for the detachment to lie flat close against it, when they will be practically safe. The artillery will cease fire as soon as they find there is nothing to fire at, but the detachment should not move for some time after this, as the guns, having got the range, will be able to inflict considerable damage if the detachment exposes itself. It is always advisable to keep one or two sections in reserve with a rear guard to be used to protect the flanks or any point where the pursuit threatens to break through in the manner mentioned by General Alderson. These sections should remain with the rear-guard commander and be under his immediate command; they should be in readiness for instant action. OUTPOSTS The duties of the outposts are: (1) To provide protection against surprise. (2) In case of attack, to gain time for the commander of the force to put his plan of action into execution.[36]